under ELEVATE Karnataka
Up to ₹50L
Government Schemes & Bodies
A flagship Government of India initiative launched on January 16, 2016 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups in the country. The initiative operates through three pillars: simplified compliance and hand-holding (self-certification, easy exit), funding support (the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme of ₹945 crore and the Fund of Funds for Startups of ₹10,000 crore), and incubation and mentoring (a network of incubators, innovation hubs, and academic partnerships). Startup India has recognised over 100,000 startups, and the initiative continues to evolve with new schemes, state partnerships, and sector-specific programmes.
Startup India is a flagship Government of India initiative launched on January 16, 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups in the country. The initiative operates through three strategic pillars: simplified compliance and hand-holding (self-certification under labour and environmental laws, easy exit process, and a single-window clearance system), funding support (the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme with a ₹945 crore corpus, the Fund of Funds for Startups with a ₹10,000 crore corpus managed by SIDBI, and the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups), and incubation and mentoring (a network of over 500 recognised incubators, innovation hubs in academic institutions, and international partnerships). Startup India has recognised over 100,000 startups as of 2025, and the initiative has expanded to include sector-specific programmes (drone, space, defence, AI), state-level startup policies in 30+ states, and annual events like Startup India Innovation Week and the National Startup Awards. The initiative is credited with transforming India's startup ecosystem from a niche activity into a national priority.
1. Register your startup on the Startup India portal (startupindia.gov.in) to access the ecosystem. 2. Apply for DPIIT recognition through the portal — this is the gateway to all Startup India benefits. 3. Explore specific schemes: SISFS (seed funding through incubators), FFS (fund-of-funds for VC investment), and tax exemptions under Section 80-IAC and Section 56. 4. Connect with your nearest recognised incubator for mentorship and Scheme support. 5. Apply for relevant grants and programmes through the portal. 6. Participate in Startup India events, hackathons, and challenges for visibility and networking.
A startup working on drone-based agricultural monitoring incorporates in 2022 and registers on the Startup India portal. The founders obtain DPIIT recognition, which allows them to apply for a SISFS grant of ₹30 lakh through an incubator at a nearby agricultural university. The grant funds a six-month pilot covering 500 acres across 10 villages. Two years later, the startup wins the National Startup Award in the Agriculture category at Startup India Innovation Week, gaining national media coverage, investor interest, and eligibility for government procurement contracts.
Startup India has fundamentally changed the landscape for Indian founders. Between grants, tax exemptions, compliance simplification, and ecosystem support, it provides a comprehensive framework that makes starting and scaling a business in India more accessible than ever before.